Mr MakeBTC is correct, this is not a pyramid scheme in the exponential sense of the diagram above. For example, as of now to reach level 16 we need about another 6 BTC. Then to reach level 17 we will need 17 BTC. If history is any judge, 25% to 50% of those 17 BTC will be reinvested from those who received BTC from level 16. The remaining amount will come from new investors, or possibly from old investors adding new funds (who are in this situation equivalent to new investors).

So technically it is correct that new investors are required to reach each bank, and in that sense MakeBTC has some qualities of a pyramid scheme. However, the amount of BTC required to reach each bank is so small in comparison to the number of BTC in existence it is quite plausible to think that new investors entering even now, will make a profit on their investment. At some point in the future, new investors may slow down so much that it will take so long to reach a new bank, that it will be clear that it would take years to clear a profit. But we are a long way from there at the moment.

The fact that existing investors can now "cash out" by selling their acculmulated levels for BTC (at a discount) also makes it easier to lock in profits after having reached a few banks.

The interactions between beetje2007, opnoskatt and Mr MakeBTC on this forum have been very instructive; MakeBTC has shown itself to be transparent, honest and willing to fix problems. As far as I can tell, this forum is the only place on the internet (!) where MakeBTC has been discussed in detail, and with the owner participating.